A NORTH-EAST runner has begun a trek up Everest in preparation for a marathon with a difference.
Robin Rutherford, 49, from Darlington, won a place in the Everest Marathon 2000 last month.
He is in the middle of a 16-day trek up the world's highest mountain to reach a point at 17,000ft - where the race back down begins.
Mr Williamson is an after-sales manager at Darlington's Williamson Motors, which has donated £2,500 to the Everest Marathon Fund charity, which will benefit from the marathon.
It supports projects in Nepal, such as providing health care facilities in remote villages.
Mr Rutherford said: "I have previously competed road and mountain marathons, and two-day mountain races, but I have never done anything as challenging as this.
"I have been doing rigorous training in Hamsterley forest, near Bishop Auckland, and on local fells to concentrate my training on downhill running and endurance.
"This, though, will be the first time that I have attempted a race at altitude."
A total of 75 runners from all over the world will be taking part in the marathon which is due to start on Sunday
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